Trade group says Ohio home sales up nearly 12 pct

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio trade group's report shows statewide home sales rose nearly 12 percent in March compared to a year ago.

Ohio Association of Realtors President Thomas Williams says in a statement that the state's housing market is making steady progress in its effort to establish a solid foundation.

The association said Monday that sales through the first quarter of the year reached 24,412 - a more than 13-percent increase from the 21,515 sales posted during the same period a year ago. The average sales price of $130,668 was a 5.2 percent increase from the $124,259 average price posted in March 2012.

The National Association of Realtors says U.S. sales of previously occupied U.S. homes dipped in March as the supply remained tight, though the pace remained ahead of last year's.